All stem cells share two common characteristics. They possess the ability of long-term self-renewal through symmetric division. Secondly, stem cells are unspecialized and have the ability to differentiate into specialized cells through asymmetric division. Research has recently given rise to artificially induced pluripotent stem cells, which has given specific cells the ability to act as stem cells.

Long-term Self-Renewal

Stem cells are capable of division while remaining unspecialized. Such replication is called symmetric cell division. This process can occur over a period of months to years, either maintaining or increasing the population of certain stem cells.

Differentiation

Stem cells can divide asymmetrically, where one stem cell divides into two cells that have different cellular fates. The original stem cell remains unspecialized, but the second cell becomes a specific type, for example muscle, nerve, or red blood cell. The transformation process of this stem cell to specialized cell is called differentiation.

Induced Pluripotency

Stem cells that have been artificially created from specialized cells are called induced pluripotent stem cells. These cells are capable only of differentiation in a similar lineage from which they were derived. For example, induced pluripotent hematopoietic stem cells can only differentiate into blood cells.

Considerations

Due to their unspecialized nature, stem cells have a large research potential. The most pluripotent stem cells derive from the human embryo. Ethical issues arise because embryonic stem cells have the potential to become a human. Induced pluripotency created a workaround, but ethical issues still remain.

About the Author

Instilled by a passion for all things food, Eric Lissner began food writing in 2011 while studying Civil Engineering at UCLA. After graduating summa cum laude, he began his engineering career while pursing writing on his personal blog.